Angels' Kazmir reclamation project returns to Arizona

Whatever the outcome of the Angels' reclamation efforts with wayward left-hander Scott Kazmir, it's fair to say they are willing to try anything and everything.

"More than fair to say," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said.

The latest attempt to unlock the Kazmir puzzle involved a three-day sabbatical in his hometown of Houston where Kazmir worked with Ron Wolforth, a local instructor Kazmir has worked with since his days playing youth baseball. Kazmir did some drills with Wolforth and watched video dating back to his high school career.

Kazmir rejoined the Angels in Arlington before their game against the Rangers Monday – but only long enough to pack his things and head for Arizona. He will throw three innings in an extended spring training game in Tempe on Tuesday and probably stay there to throw again later in the week before starting a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment in Triple-A.

Butcher said he talked with Kazmir Monday about the plan going forward and didn't really discuss what Kazmir had done in Houston. Kazmir will throw approximately 45 pitches in the camp game Tuesday – and Butcher wants them all to be fastballs.

"We want him to be confident and committed to throwing fastballs in the strike zone," Butcher said. "Everything has to work off his fastball. ... He needs to get back to commanding the fastball."

Kazmir said he worked on some drills with Wolforth and also watched a variety of video from his past, spotting some things he's "trying to go back to." But Kazmir said what he took away was less about technique than it was about attitude.

"I want to kind of stay away from mechanics and just let it go," Kazmir said, admitting that his thought process on the mound has become overloaded.

"It's one thing here, one thing there, one thing here, one thing there and before you even throw a pitch you're thinking of too many things. Hopefully, I'll just to go out there, let it go and have fun."

Butcher agreed that it's as important for Kazmir to be "mentally right so he has clarity" on the mound as it is for him to be sound in his pitching mechanics. And if it takes a few days with an instructor from his amateur days, that's fine with Butcher.

"Sometimes you have to let guys go away to find things for themselves," Butcher said. "If it works for them, it works for us."

Kazmir said the back stiffness that landed him on the DL – or gave the Angels a convenient reason to put him on the DL following his only start of the season (five runs in 1 2/3 innings in Kansas City) – is gone.

"We'll see where he is and when he's ready to take this into a higher level game in Triple-A and compete and put pitches together," Scioscia said. "As much as what Scott needs to do is put pitches together and get higher-level hitters out, whether that's in Triple-A or the majors. He's not going to get that in extended spring."

FIRST LOOK

Scioscia is steadfast in his philosophy of equality – no game is bigger than any other. Facing the defending AL West and American League champion Rangers for the first time this season didn't budge him.

"It's a first look," he said. "There's going to be scouting that starts to take place on both sides, evaluating. You get a look at the other club, get a look at some of the bullpen arms they might be using. ... That's no different than when we played the White Sox (over the weekend).

"No matter what game the schedule brings you have to play at a high level and win. ... This game has no more importance than if we were playing another team. You can't get caught up in any of that. We know you have to play to a certain level to get through our division. You have to play at a high level."

On their way to breaking the Angels' grip on the AL West title last year, the Rangers barely edge the Angels head-to-head, winning 10 of their 19 meetings. The two teams played 10 one-run games last season, tying the AL-high since realignment in 1994. The Angels also played 10 one-run games against the A's in 2005 and again in 2007.

NOTES

Shortstop Erick Aybar began his brief (probably just two games) rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday. Aybar will likely play again Tuesday then join the Angels in Texas for the final game of their series against the Rangers on Wednesday. ... Angels reliever Scott Downs was unavailable again Monday due to a virus. He did report to the park Monday (something he didn't do during the series in Chicago) and played catch. But he then headed back to the team hotel. Downs said he is feeling a little better and has been able to keep some food down. But he lost six pounds in three days while dealing with the virus. ... Dan Haren was named AL co-Player of the Week, sharing the award with Rays outfielder-DH Johnny Damon. Haren won both of his starts last week, including a one-hit shutout of the Indians. He had 14 strikeouts and two walks in 15 1/3 innings and held opposing batters to a .148 average. ... Right-hander Joel Pineiro is scheduled to pitch three innings in an extended spring game on Wednesday.

TUESDAY

Angels right-hander Matt Palmer (0-0, 7.71) is scheduled to start against Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis (1-1, 5.25). Game time is 5:05 p.m. and it will be broadcast on FSW, KLAA/830 AM and KWKW/1330 AM in Spanish.